THE vncomfortable and fruitlesse toyles , Occasion of this worke . which the Lord hath left vnto men , to humble them thereby , haue euer caused many to bend their wits and beate their braines , to find out more plaine and profitable wayes , both to rel●eue themselues , and to make their burdens more light . Amongst others , my selfe hauing first had long experience of the manifold euils which grow from the ignorance of a right order of teaching , and afterwards some gracious tast of the sweetnesse that is to be found in the better courses truly knowne and practised , I haue betaken me almost wholly , for manie yeares , vnto this weightie worke , and that not without much comfort , through the goodnesse of our blessed God . And thence the more earnestly haue I pursued this same , for that I haue bene fully perswaded vpon happie experience ( I trust ) that I could neuer employ my thoughts and trauels more acceptably in anie earthly thing , or whereby a greater benefite might redound both to Church and Commonwealth , and in some sort to euery soule , then in searching out , and setting forth to the view of all , the shortest , surest , and most easie entrance to all good learning , and how with certaine hope of good successe all may proceed therein .

Who knowes not the grieuous complaints , which ( to the disgrace of learning ) are made almost in euerie place , The vsuall complaints against non-proficiencie in schooles . for the iniuries done to countries , townes , parents and children ; because in so manie schooles , the children , which are the chiefe hope of parents and posteritie , are either spoiled altogether , or else do profite so verie litle ? Where good is done , how hardly it is effected commonly . And for the most part , wherein any good is done , that it is ordinarily effected by the endlesse vexation of the painfull Maisters , the extreme labour and ●errour of the poore scholars , with enduring far ouermuch and long seueritie . Now whence proceedeth all this , but because so few of those who vndertake this function , A chief cause hereof , want of knowledge of a right course of teaching . are acquainted with anie good method , or right order of instruction , fit for a Grammer schoole ? This therefore hath bene in my heart , to shew my loue and dutie to all sorts , in seeking for my part to deliuer the poore , painfull & honest minded Schoolemaister from this reproch and griefe , The authors desire to help all this . and to helpe withall to supply this so great a want . And in stead hereof my earnest desire hath bene to procure a perpetuall benefite to all estates and degrees , And to procure a perpetuall benefite to all posteritie . euen to euery man for his children and posteritie ; by endeuoring to make the path to all good learning more euen and pleasing in the first entrance , then former ages haue knowne ; and thereby also in the continuall proceeding afterwards , so farre as the Lord shall vouchsafe me his mercifull assistance in this great attempt . That children being so entred in a plaine manner , may striue towards the goale with vndoubted certaintie of obtaining their desire , with pleasant delight and chearefulnesse throughout all their time .

Concerning the singular benefits and blessings which come by good learning , Of the rare benefits of learning no good man euer doubted like as to euery particular soule , and so to whole nations , no man truly wise did euer yet make doubt . No not anie one who hath knowne aright what learning meant ; or who vnfainedly loued his countrey , the soules of Gods people , or the Gospel of Christ . For what maketh a nation to be a glorious nation , but that the people are a wise and an vnderstanding people ? What is it whereby we come so neare vnto the Highest , or to that blessed estate from which by our first parents we are so fallen , and to which we must be renewed and restored , if euer we shall inherit againe the tree of life , as by true vnderstanding and knowledge , especially if the same be sanctified vnto vs ? Yea , what is it else whereby we excell the beastes , but by this diuine reason , with which the more we are enlightened by the spirit of the Lord , through the meanes of learning , the more we differ , the more we do excell ? Or who is he that can giue God that glorie for which he was created , and redeemed from hell , or can in anie measure honour him as he ought to do , to his owne saluation , but onely he who is endued with right knowledge and vnderstanding ? Contrarily , whence is that inhumanitie , as amongst manie of the Irish , the Virgineans , and all other barbarous nations , but from their extreme ignorance of our holy God , and of all true and good learning ?

If anie man should dislike of learning , The licenciousnesse of some learned or abusers of learning , ought not to cause vs to thinke the worse therof . or thinke that there is ouer-much of it , for the strange licentiousnesse and outragious courses of sundrie learned ones , or for that so manie do abuse their learning , euen to their own perdition , without vnfained repentance ; why doth not the same man dislike also of the light , yea of riches , honours , and pleasures , all which are abused commonly by the selfe same men , as they haue occasion , as much as learning is ? Good learning is indeed the heauenly light , the truest honour , the best riches , the sweetest pleasure . Learning is all , and all in all , if we beleeue that wise Salomon , or anie of the graue Sages who haue euer liued since the beginning of the world . Neither is the learning of these men the cause of their licentiousnesse , but this is it in truth ; either that being left vnto themselues , to humble them thereby , they haue put out that light of learning which checked and controlled them , and haue chosen , in their courses , to liue in darknesse rather then in the light ; or for that God hath therfore in his heauie displeausre and most iust iudgement ( as we are to feare of manie of them ) giuen them vp to such palpable blindnesse in the midst of the shining light of this last age , because they loued darknesse rather then the light , Iob. 3. 19. 2. Thes. 2. 10. or at least for that they receiued not the loue of the truth , that they might be saued .

But wholly to conuince all sorts , Learning is the glorie of man , in the verie naturall mans account that learning is the true light , and that principall part of mans glorie ; let any naturall man aske of his owne heart , whether if he would haue his child brought vp to make a worthie man , he would not haue him trained vp in the most excellent learning , notwithstanding all the abuses of it , and whatsoeuer can be deuised against it . And why should anie one who knoweth but the law of nature , much more the diuine law of our holy God , ( that whatsoeuer we would that men should do to vs euen so we should do to them ) once grudge or disdaine that vnto others , which of all other things he most desireth for himselfe & his ? Why should he not as well repine against them for the vse of light , seeing the Lord in his rich bountie , in like maner granteth the light of true learning to be communicated to euerie one , chiefly for his soule , as he shall be capable , as well as he hath the light of the day for the bodie ; and also hath charged all most strictly , to seeke after it aboue all other things . According to that of Salomon : Wisedome is the principall thing , Prou. 4. 7. therefore get wisedome , and with all thy getting get vnderstanding . Exalt her , a●d she shall promote thee , she shall bring thee to honour when thou doest embrace her . Wisedome is that one thing without which a man is not in truth a man , nor can euer honour his Creator as he ought .

Yet to passe ouer this point , as not so needfull ( I hope ) amongst vs , especially the true professors of Christs glorious Gospell ; whereof neuer anie one was a sound fauourer , who was not likewise an earnest furtherer of the best learning : & contrarily , they onely who haue sought the ruine of the Church , as Iulian , haue sought ( cunningly at least , and vnder other faire pretences ) the shutting vp of the schoole dores , and the bringing of all good learning into open contempt or base esteeme . And the rather do I represse my selfe herein , for that this point hath bene so worthily handled and cleared by some of high place now sundrie yeares agoe , and all obiectours put to silence .

To ret●rne therefore towards our proposed marke , The first and principall meanes of good learning , the schooles of learning . & to consider of the meanes whereby the Lord bestowes this heauenly gift of all true knowledge and good learning ; is not the first and principall the right education of children in the Grammer schooles , which God hath ordained to be his nurseries of all learning and vertue ? In verie many of which schooles abroad the contrarie rudenesse is notwithstanding verie much to be pitied and layed to heart of all ; like as it hath bene long , and is at this day too generally complained of , and that to be feared not without iust cause . In what schooles the best learning & nurture are to be found . Of which sort are all those wherein the schollers are so brought vp , as that they are made more vnfit for anie calling , or so much as to take paines in anie profitable employment . But these true nurseries are onely such , wherein learned Maisters and Vshers , being incouraged with meete maintenance and due rewards , do follow the best & most approued courses , A wonderfull difference betweene those scholes wherin the best orders are obserued , & the rest . labouring constantly to put the same in vre . For in these a wonderfull difference will appeare , when they are compared with those other , in which the right meanes and orders are litle knowne , and lesse regarded to be put in practise .

And first to begin with the matter of learning , 1. The matter of learning easie in such schooles . which ordinarily and in it selfe , through our naturall blindnesse and dulnesse is so hard and vnpleasant ; it is made in these schooles most easie , and replenished with all sweete delight .

Secondly for the manner of proceeding , 2. The maner of proceeding in a singular order without confusion . it is in these schooles so direct and orderly , to the verie highest top of all perfection in the same , that the things taught before do euer giue light to those that follow after ; and the later do so hang vpon the former , as that they haue a continuall dependance , and also the scholars haue a continuall helpe and vse of all those things which they haue learned before . There is moreouer in them a very comely array , as in a well gouerned armie , each knowing his owne ranke and office , The painefull schoolmaster may there expect a rich blessing . without the least disorder or confusion . Whereupon the painfull Schoolemaister may , through Gods blessing , as certainly expect much comfortable fruit of his labours , as anie other man in all the world . That euen as the best husbandrie bringeth forth vsually the greatest increase , the shortest and safest cut in nauigation , doth fetch in soonest the double gaine ; so the shortest and fairest way of teaching , shall bring in speedily double learning without anie losse or danger . So as it must needs be great follie to go further about with more trouble and perill , where a shorter and more sure line is plainly directed and pointed out vpon infallible experience .

But for the fruits hereof they will be found such , The fruite hereof able to encourage each Maister to take the vttermost paines to follow the best manner . as are able to allure and encourage euerie one , to take the vttermost paines to seek out & to practise the best meanes which euer God shall afford . For in the meaner schooles will soone appeare such a change , from raw and rude behauiour , vnto all commendable qualities , as if they had bene cast in a new mould . Hence wil ensue a maruellous change in schooles . So that verie children will begin to vnderstand , write , speake , oppose and answer , and in all thinges so to demeane themselues , as to gaine the hearts of all who shall rightly make triall , and compare them with most others . The bringing learning into esteeme , and to make it to be desired , & honored of al ▪ Whence it must needs follow , that whereas learning is now commonly so basely reputed of , and so few in the countries abroad regard to set their children to it ; yet if the best courses were in vse , euerie one would desire to haue his brought vp in some learning and nurture , The stirring vp many benefactors to learning . and all of the better sort and qualitie should be prouoked to become benefactors to schooles , to augment their maintenance and encouragements for the nourishing & increasing of the same . Things accompanying a right course in proceeding .

These things likewise will certainly accompanie such a right order of proceeding ; both a maruellous freedome of the Maisters from their wearinesse and discontent , Deliuery of the maisters from much vexation and ouermuch seueritie . Of scholars from terrour . and from that ouer-great seueritie which they are enforced to exercise , or else to do litle good ; and withall a ioyfull deliuering of the poore children from that continuall feare , whereby in manie schooles , the greatest part haue bene wont to be exceedingly dulled and to be made most vnwilling to their bookes . That all things in schooles may be done with delight and comfort . That now contrarily Maisters may teach with much delight and comfort , and scholars learne with an ingenuous emulation , like as they recreate themselues in their ordinarie sports . And for the time spent in getting learning , More substantiall learning in such at 7. yeares ▪ then in others atten . assuredly more true , sound , and substantiall learning will be found to be gotten in such places in seuen yeares , then is in others commonly in seuen and halfe seuen . For this is a thing notorious , State of most schooles and scholars of 15. yeares of age . that in the greatest part of our common schooles abroad , ( some few of principall note excepted ) the scholars at fifteene or sixteene yeares of age , haue not commonly so much as anie sense of the meaning and true vse of learning , for vnderstanding , resoluing , writing , or speaking , but onely to construe and to parse a little , to steale an exercise , and to write such Latine as anie of iudgement will disdaine to reade . Vnfit for the Vniuersities . That in respect of being fit to be sent to the Vniuersities with credit , that they may proceed with delight and vnderstanding , when they come there , they are commonly so senslesse , as that they are much meeter to be sent home againe . And if they be admitted into the Vniuersities , it is not without the griefe of all who respect the credite thereof . Euils in their entrance and continuance in the Vniuersities . So as that they enter commonly with fowle disgrace , and continue with much contempt , to spend their friends monie & their owne precious time , which might haue bene farre better employed . That they become there a great deale more readie to anie kinde of exercise then vnto the studie of good learning , the ignorance whereof proues such a reproach vnto them . Hence also after sundrie yeares so euilly spent , manie of them return home againe , almost as rude as they went thither , or are sent abroad to be vnprofitable burdens , both of the Church and Common-wealth perpetually . Or if such do light into the hands of painfull and conscionable Tutors , Tutors must playe the schoolmasters if euer they shall do good . and fall to their studies , yet their Tutors must then act for them the School-maisters part , which must needs be verie harsh and vnpleasing , yea rare to be found amongst them . So that in stead of their Academicall readings , they must be enforced to supplie that which was wanting in the Grammar schoole . Such scholars must vse extraordinarie paines . Such schollars must likewise vse extraordinarie paines and industrie , and be of most happie capacities , if euer they shall come to that pitch and height of good learning , which being trained vp rightly from the beginning , they might verie easily and in shorter time haue attained vnto .

Hereof the complaints of the worthiest and most carefull Tutors in the Vniuersities giue too sufficient testimonie . And doing best , shall yet euer feele the want of the Grammar schoole . And though such scholars proue neuer so well , yet shall they feele the want of the Grammar schoole all their life long . But to leaue the Vniuersitie a litle , and to returne to our schooles againe for the gracing of them . Whereas now in sundrie of them , yea some which are of good maintenance , there are to be found some few like vnprofitable drones , not by the vnaptnesse of nature , but for lacke of better guidance and education ; then contrarily should we haue all such schooles generally , as the litle bee-hiues , If the best orders were had the schooles should be as the bee-hiues euerie one in his owne cell , and each knowing his owne taske , and all gathering iointly to fill the hiues with the most excellent life honie . So that tast wheresoeuer you pleased , you might euer find most sweete contentment ; if thus the best courses were alike made known to all , and care had that they might be constantly put in practise euerie where . Yea then it would come to passe , that whereas now there is litle or nothing in verie manie of them , wherein the eye or eare can take delight , but rather those who come to make triall haue enough at the first , and euer take iust cause of griefe , that there should be such lamentable spoiling of so manie toward youths , so wretchlesse mis-spending of their golden age , with such inualuable and irrecouerable losse and iniurie to all , As the goodly gardens & sweet singing birds . yet in short time we should see the same as the goodly gardens , & as amongst the litle singing birds , in the flourishing Spring ; where we still looke and hearken after more sweete varietie of pleasant flowers , And generally excell themselues . and of melodious tunes . Then should we find by ioyfull experience , that each meane schoole would ●ot onely excell it selfe , but be equall to manie of chiefer note . And as much as the goodliest garden doth excell the place ouer growne with briars and nettles , the litle bee-hiues the nests of drones , so much should these each way surpasse those same which now they are . That wee should as much reioice in these , as euer we grieued for the other . That as we haue bene grieued formerly for the one , we should be rapt with admiration of the other , and thinke all our paines and cost farre too litle to be bestowed vpon them . Maisters should be much more encouraged to go on with cheerefulnesse , in seeing Gods blessing vpon their labours , and by hearing the due commendations giuen to their scholars , then by anie other rewards whatsoeuer . The children should euer likewise haue their emulation increased , Maisters and schollars should proceed with all alacritie . which of them all should most excell . And to conclude this point , hence it should come to passe , that although all could not be expected to excell in learning , Though all should not excell , yet all should be fitted to some good emploiment , for the benefit of the whole . ( for then should we be left destitute of husbandmen to till the ground , and much more of meete supplies to furnish all other callings ; neither is it possible , by all the meanes or paines in the world , to make such to be scholars , to whom God in their naturall co●stitution seemeth to haue denied it ; chiefly where parents or teachers themselues are too indulgent or remisse : so that their children are disobedient , much absent from schoole , come and go at their pleasures , neglect their exercises or the like , or haue bene spoiled by ill entrance at the first , ) yet these things would follow through a right and carefull gouernment . That a good part would be found in euerie forme to credit the schoole : some to store the Vniuersities , others to adorne all other places and conditions of life ; that thereby might be had men expert in each kinde as necessitie should require , for the common benefite and good of all . All these ve●ied in some few schooles . All these things we may see verified in some few and rare schooles , by comparing of which with most others , and so by considering what a difference there is ( onely through the better courses practised constantly in them , ) we may fully iudge of the truth of all that hath bene said , and most necessarily be enforced to subscribe thereto .

Vpon the due consideration hereof , This endeuor to di●charge a debt to all , by making all sorts partakers of the blessings , which he hath vouchsafed . and vpon much and loug experience of diuerse places , together with the certaine assurance of these and the like vndoubted benefites , which must needes ensue generally vpon the best courses of learning and good education , first diligently sought out amongst all , and then diuulged for the publike good , to be put in practise , I haue presumed to endeuour to my poore abilitie , as the Lord hath vouchsafed me mercie , to make all sorts partakers of this blessing , and thus to be paying my debts to all , in communicating the same vnto them .

This trauell therefore hath bene , Dutie to all in high place for their children and posteritie . and is my dutie and seruice , first vnto you all ( ye worthies of the chiefest ranke ) who are vnfained fauourers of good learning , and more especially to you to whom the Lord hath engaged me and mine ; yea my heartie wish ( with all thankfull acknowledgement ) towards you , in your children , and posteritie , in whom you are to remaine after your departing hence , & by whom you would haue your names and dignities still preserued euen in the earth . That they may with sporting , in a pleasant kind of recreation , attaine vnto that heauenly gift of learning , and excell all others therein , according to their places and degrees . And that hereby they may adorne your houses , increase their owne honour in euerie kinde , to become principall lights , and pillars of their countrey , and not to liue to the ouerthrow , or the dishonour of your houses , and names , much lesse to the euil example , or to the spoiling of the poore people amongst whom they dwell , as those who leaue their names for a curse behind them .

It hath bene and is my debt , Desire to all parents . and true desire to all parents , to further their comfort in their beloued children , that they may see before their eyes their childrens forwardnesse in learning and vertue , which may be vnto them some recompence , of all their loue , care , and cost . And also that being hereby encouraged to bring them vp vertuously , they may alwayes haue the testimonie of a good conscience , to cause them to reioice , in that they haue had this first care to prouide them this portion . Hereby they may depart hence with gladnesse , when they may leaue those in their places , in whom they may see iust hope , that they shall liue still in the earth with worthie reputation .